If your parenting is trending like ours (and like the rest of the citizenry obsessed with that bewitching little Marie Kondo), you are currently encouraging “experiences” over “stuff,” especially when it comes to gifting. So when our youngest asked to spend the night in an RV for his birthday, we were happy to oblige. While we knew this wouldn’t necessarily be cheap, we also knew it meant we wouldn’t spend hundreds on paper plates, balloons, party favors, and presents for a day that would, most likely, be quickly forgotten. When it comes to giving, we love to give time and memories. Like our tagline says: The Best Trip is a Family One!
The savvy among you will quickly realize the error of our hasty promise to our 6-year-old: one night in an RV. Friends: this is really hard to do!
Most major RV rental companies are located only near high-trafficked destinations and cities. Additionally, a week minimum is required and it is closer to a thousand dollars than a hundred. Not, of course, what we had intended for a birthday event. No one wants to KonMari their way through their wallet and give it all away. (For the record, yes, having some money makes me happy and brings me joy.)
After a lot of Googling, I found RVshare.com. Quickly described: this is basically the VRBO of RVs and it is brilliant.
Individuals anywhere in the country who own an RV can put it up for rent, just like Air B&B or VRBO. Then, as someone looking for an RV to rent, I can put in my search criteria.
The amount of inventory available is remarkable! Fifth wheels (which we had a fantastic experience with on our Disney vacation for NDPs), Class A or Class C motor homes, different sizes, pet-friendly, difference prices, a variety of amenities… Some owners will even deliver your RV to you (for an additional price) so you don’t have to go get it! There are so many options, and for nearly every budget all across the country.
Most of the RV owners I contacted were incredibly friendly. Unfortunately, most wanted (much like VRBO) a minimum “stay,” usually a minimum of 4 nights. But, since these are private owners, there is the chance to actually talk to a REAL PERSON who can MAKE DECISIONS. Ultimately, we rented a huge Class A motor home from a family who lived a township over. They received my message that this was a birthday ‘party’ for a little boy. Given that they are a family, too (and it was off-season), they were willing to bend their minimum stay requirement to make a boy’s birthday dream come true.
It turns out that once both parties agree to dates and terms, RVshare generates the contracts and paperwork required. For us, as renters, it felt seamless, safe, and easy. I am not sure, from an owners’ side, what it feels like or how it goes, but given that there are thousands of people listing their RVs with RVshare, I presume it’s not too painful. Regardless of what their fees are, my guess would be that it is still better to make some good money off of renting the motor home than it is to have it sit in a storage yard (just a guess, though, as we don’t own one).
While it must be strange to hand over your RV’s keys and instructions (complete with all the ticks and special needs your motor home has, since they all seem to have their own personalities), it is a worthy sacrifice to make to give strangers you don’t know opportunities to create magical memories hitting the road in a way they probably couldn’t without renting your RV. We were so blessed to have our time in the particular motor home we did, and the beautiful experience of a night camping in December for a little kid’s birthday.
Driving the RV took some getting used to, of course. But our nights spent in a North Carolina state park with heat, a toilet, and each of us in our own beds instead of fighting the inevitable slide of nylon sleeping bags on nylon tent floors was much appreciated. We were able to hike during the day and, at night, rest in our cozy little movable home.
The family that bent their rules and allowed us to rent their RV have no idea of the gift they gave us. Not only were they remarkably nice people, they were a family we felt a kinship with as soon as we met them. Does that happen with all RV owners? Is it some kind of joyous club of like-minded friends riding the highways with their homes on their wheels?
I don’t think we will ever be RV owners in our days to come (although never say never, we’ve learned the hard way in recent months). We also do enjoy tent camping, not to mention flying to foreign countries (and I have talked on Instagram as to why we aren’t going to drop out and hit the road with our kids, why we have opted to have a traditional life as our main dish with a huge helping of adventure on the side). So the financial investment of an actual Class A or Class C motor home doesn’t seem to make sense for our little unit. But I do so want to be part of the club of joyous RVers….
Also, I’d probably list it for rent on RVshare, to hopefully be ready for a sweet little 6-year-old’s birthday experience. To pay it forward.
Learn more and get started by visiting rvshare.com.